#  The Roman villa of Piantarella (Corsica) 

 



The Roman villa of Piantarella, located on the southern tip of Corsica overlooking the Strait of Bonifacio, is one of the largest and most remarkable residential complexes known on the island. Covering more than 3,000 m², the site is organized around a vast central courtyard bordered by residential quarters, service areas, and an extensive bath complex. Its monumental character, exceptional maritime setting, and the widespread use of *opus reticulatum*— a rare construction technique in Corsica — make Piantarella a key site for understanding Roman architecture and elite presence in insular Mediterranean contexts.

Excavated intermittently throughout the twentieth century, the site long suffered from fragmented archives, uneven methodologies, and unpublished material. Since 2015, a new research program directed by [**Gaël Brkojewitsch**](https://whitelevy.fas.harvard.edu/people/gael-brkojewitsch)**,** who also supervises this publication project for the White Levy Program, has combined stratigraphic excavation, photogrammetry, LiDAR survey, and specialist studies to reassess the villa comprehensively. The project aims to produce the first complete monograph and to renew our understanding of Roman maritime villas, economic networks, and cultural dynamics in Corsica.



 

 [   ![The Roman villa and the Sperone and Piantarella ponds, viewed from the east (photo: G. Brkojewitsch)](https://whitelevy.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-06/Piantarella_photo_1.jpeg?itok=o4XqJsSa) 

  <div class="hwp-media-gallery--caption-content"><p class="hwp-media-gallery--item\_\_title">The Roman villa and the Sperone and Piantarella ponds</p><div class="hwp-text-block"><p><span lang="EN-GB">The Roman </span><em><span lang="EN-GB">villa</span></em><span lang="EN-GB"> and the Sperone and Piantarella ponds, viewed from the east (photo: G. Brkojewitsch)</span></p></div></div>   

 ](https://whitelevy.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/2026-06/Piantarella_photo_1.jpeg) The Roman villa and the Sperone and Piantarella ponds

 



 [   ![A zenithal view of the Piantarella villa (photo: G. Brkojewitsch)](https://whitelevy.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-06/Piantarella_photo_2.JPG?itok=UUKcve92) 

  <div class="hwp-media-gallery--caption-content"><p class="hwp-media-gallery--item\_\_title">A zenithal view of the Piantarella villa</p><div class="hwp-text-block"><p><span lang="EN-GB">A zenithal view of the Piantarella </span><em><span lang="EN-GB">villa</span></em><span lang="EN-GB"> (photo: G. Brkojewitsch)</span></p></div></div>   

 ](https://whitelevy.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/2026-06/Piantarella_photo_2.JPG) A zenithal view of the Piantarella villa

 



 [   ![An adult individual buried during Late Antiquity within the villa baths (photo: S. Sedlbauer)](https://whitelevy.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-06/Piantarella_photo_3.jpeg?itok=ip1F1dKV) 

  <div class="hwp-media-gallery--caption-content"><p class="hwp-media-gallery--item\_\_title">An adult individual buried during Late Antiquity within the villa baths </p><div class="hwp-text-block"><p><span>  </span><span lang="EN-GB">An adult individual buried during Late Antiquity within the </span><em><span lang="EN-GB">villa</span></em><span lang="EN-GB"> baths (photo: S. Sedlbauer).</span></p></div></div>   

 ](https://whitelevy.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/2026-06/Piantarella_photo_3.jpeg) An adult individual buried during Late Antiquity within the villa baths

 



 

 



 



 

 See also:- [ 2026 Sponsored Projects ](/sponsored-projects-year/2026-sponsored-projects)
- [ Mediterranean ](/sponsored-projects-area/mediterranean)